"Gold Diggers of 1933"

We are honored to have the opportunity to offer this one.of.kind 14kt yellow gold floral filigree bracelet, a true treasure & piece of history from the estate of ETTA MOTEN BARNETT (1901–2004)

Etta Moten Barnett, was a singer, actress, philanthropist and activist who is credited for helping break the Hollywood stereotype of black women playing roles as domestic servants in cinema and on-stage. A graduate of the University of Kansas, Motten made her first onscreen appearance in Busby Berkeley’s 1933 film Gold Diggers of 1933. In what would be her most famous screen appearance, she played a Brazilian singer in Flying Down To Rio (1933), which starred Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Moten sang the Oscar-nominated song “The Carioca.”

A contralto vocalist, she was best known for her role of "Bess" in Porgy and Bess.

On January 31, 1934, at the invitation of President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Moten made history when she became the first African-American woman to perform at the White House.

Moten eventually relocated to New York City and would be featured in such popular Broadway shows as Sugar Hill and Lysistrata. From 1942 to 1945, she starred in the wildly popular Broadway production of Porgy and Bess.

After her performing career, Barnett was active in Chicago as a major philanthropist and civic activist, raising funds for and supporting cultural, social and church institutions.

Materials: 14kt Yellow Gold

SKU: VB-3ST-FLR-14KY-FIL-BA-SHA